Report Your Sightings To Help Conservation Efforts

Photo: Caitlin Birdsall

Credit: Lance Barrett-Lennard

A Pacific white-sided dolphin in Howe Sound

The B.C. CetaceanSightings Network

If you see a whale, dolphin, porpoise or sea turtle, we want to know! Since 2000, the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network has engaged coastal residents and mariners in collecting and reporting sightings of cetaceans and sea turtles. With a coastline as long and intricate as British Columbia's, monitoring cetaceans year round is difficult for researchers without help from the public. This is where the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network makes a difference.

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In January 2002, a two-year old killer whale was discovered, emaciated and…

Photo: Caitlin Birdsall

How It Started

The Vancouver Aquarium has studied wild cetacean populations since the early 1970s. In 2000, a new project began at the Aquarium to help acquire and compile important conservation information about the relative abundance, distribution, and habitat use of B.C.'s whales. In 2004, we added sea turtles to the network. Since its beginning the program has recruited a network of over 4,000 individuals and collected over 80,000 sightings. The BC Cetacean Sightings Network works in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to use this important information to better understand and conserve these populations.

Cetaceans And Sea Turtles In B.C.

From the enormous blue whale to the petite harbour porpoise, the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network has collected reports of 23 different species of cetaceans, and three species of sea turtle in B.C. waters. Unfortunately, 12 of these species are listed at-risk. To learn more about the identification and natural history of these animals, check out Wild Whales, the home of the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network.

Throughout the year, BCCSN staff also do a variety of outreach events and presentations to recruit and train potential observers around the coast. Find out about upcoming events here.

Photo: Lance Barrett-Lennard

Photo: Andrea Park

Report A Sighting

Observers can report their sightings by calling 1-866-I-SAW-ONE (1-866-472-9663) or use the online form. Logbooks are also available.

The following details are key observations to note:

Location

Time

Species

Number of animals

Sighting distance

Behaviours (such as breaching, fluking and feeding)

Sighting platform (ie. vessel or land)

If possible, take photos or video to accompany your sighting

Support Marine Mammal Research

Your donation to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre will help fund important research. Research will lead to a better understanding of whales and the conservation measures necessary to protect them.